Cash-back credit cards are rare to offer a rate of 6% cashback. Both the U.S. The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards ™ Visa Signature(r), Card – NerdWallet Exclusive, and the American Express Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card earn this enviable amount for select purchases.
This gives both cards the potential of being the one you reach for most often.
The U.S. The U.S. The annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $95.
American Express Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card earns 6% cashback at U.S. grocery stores on purchases up to $6,000 per year, 6% back for select U.S. streaming service, 3% back at U.S. stations and on transit and 1% on all other purchases. There is an initial $0 fee and then a $95, which covers the cost of the card. Terms and conditions apply (see rates, fees, and other details).
The U.S. offers more flexibility. You have more flexibility with the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards ™ Visa Signature(r), Card – NerdWallet Exclusive. This card allows you to earn 6% at a wider range of retailers. The eligible merchants include some of the largest retailers in the world such as Amazon.com, Target and Walmart, Ikea, Home Depot and Macy’s. The Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card from American Express has many great features. It all comes down to where you spend the most money. This is how you can choose the right card for you.
Two cards in one
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$0 Intro for the first year. $95. |
$0 annual fee, followed by $95. Terms apply. |
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The current APR is 18.24%-28.54% Variable APR . |
For purchases and balance transfers, 0% intro APR is applicable for 12 months. After that, the ongoing APR at 17.74%-28.74% Variable will apply. These terms apply. |
The U.S. The U.S.
The U.S. offers greater flexibility. The U.S. has greater flexibility in terms of its Visa Signature(r), Bank Shopper Cash Rewards(tm), Card – NerdWallet Exclusive allows you to have more control over where your cash returns are made.
Get 6% Cash Back at Major Merchants
It can be expensive to fix up your home or buy groceries at Walmart or Target. This is why the U.S. offers the option of choosing merchants you are likely to spend big money with. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards(tm) Visa Signature(r) Card – NerdWallet Exclusive. Earn up to $360 per year if you spend at least $500 per month at any of the card’s participating retailers.
You can change your merchants every quarter, so you can plan around expected spending. You can choose to shop at a home improvement store for your renovations and then go to a furniture store when you are ready to decorate. It is important to be able and willing to keep track of all this.
Complete list of 6% merchants
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Ace Hardware.
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Amazon.com.
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Anthropologie.
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Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
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Chewy.com.
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Crate & Barrel.
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Home Depot.
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Lululemon.
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Nordstrom.
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Pottery Barn.
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Restoration Hardware
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Wayfair.com.
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Williams Sonoma.
How to get 3% cashback
You can choose two merchants to earn 6% each quarter, and you can also select one “everyday” category to earn 3% cashback on spending up to $1,500 per quarter. These categories include wholesale clubs, gas and electric vehicle charging stations and bills and utilities. All of these are potential areas where you can save money.
Higher base rewards rate
Tiered bonus cash-back cards allow for purchases not in the bonus categories to earn 1% cash back. However, the U.S. NerdWallet Exclusive earns 1.5% cash back from Bank Shopper Cash Rewards ™ Visa Signature (r) Card. This is a nice addition.
Why might you prefer the Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card from American Express has more restrictions around its bonus categories. However, if you spend the same as your spending, it’s easier to manage.
The U.S. The U.S. This is an additional task, and you might not be able predict which merchant will capture most of your spending over the next three-months. Merchants can change at any time, which can cause problems in your plans. American Express Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card sticks to the same categories so that you can earn high cash-back rates without extra work.
Annual, not quarterly, spending caps
American Express Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card has a $6,000 annual spending limit on earning 6% cashback at U.S. supermarkets. There are no other restrictions in its other bonus categories. These terms apply. This gives you more flexibility than a quarterly spending limit, even though $1,500 per quarter is the same as $6,000 annually.
Cashback on All Types of Commuting
The U.S. The U.S. American Express Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card will give you 3% cash back on gas, buses, taxis, ridesharing, parking and other ways of getting around. These terms apply.
What card should you choose?
The U.S. The U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards ™ Visa Signature(r), Card – NerdWallet Exclusive offers you more ways to get a generous amount cash back. This card is a great option for those who are willing to put in a little more effort. The list of merchants that are eligible includes your favorite brands.
If groceries are a significant part of your budget and you prefer a card that is easier to manage, the Blue Cash Preferred(r), Card from American Express might be a good choice.
This page shows the rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred(r), American Express Card.